Dubai Watch Week - Post Event Report 2023

INTRODUCTION

Dubai Watch Week: A confluence of curated events and masterclasses, insightful discussions and eclectic exhibitions.

Dubai Watch Week (DWW) 2023 proved that the event is indeed a global top-tier luxury watch event. It also reinforced the show’s raison d’être: pioneering a platform for learning, connecting and celebrating horology and its confluences. Under the theme of ‘The Curious Confluence,’ DWW 2023 gave its guests the opportunity to learn, network and discuss the currents that influence and inspire the worlds of horology and luxury. From November 16 to 20, 2023, DWW’s hub at The Gate at Dubai International Financial Centre was transformed into a wonderland of horological luxury, entertainment, craftsmanship, technology, people and ideas.

The Middle East’s largest and most prominent non-commercial watch event, DWW 2023 continued to build on the success of previous editions. The show boasted an expanded event area where over 60 renowned watch brands exhibited their creations and over 20 limited edition watches were launched. Iconic French brand Van Cleef & Arpels made its DWW debut with a stunning standalone booth.

The Horology Forum retained its position as one of DWW’s most significant programmes with a generous smattering of insightful panel discussions, candid conversations and healthy debates. The Horology Forum also hosted its first Arabic language panel, enriching the Forum’s content and widening its appeal. It’s such elements that have become the hallmark of DWW’s mission of celebrating watch culture.

In addition to the new and limited-edition watch releases, dedicated exhibitions, Collectors Lounge and interactive masterclasses, there were a plethora of activities that made the event a must-visit for everyone, and not just horology enthusiasts. There were numerous onsite activations and musical acts, a kids auction and gourmet food options to keep visitors engaged and entertained. Further, DWW gave industry insiders and collectors several opportunities to interact with each other through various social events.

EVENT OBJECTIVES

Founded in 2015 by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, Dubai Watch Week seeks to provide a platform for sharing knowledge, building connections and celebrating watchmaking. It also aims to position Dubai as the regional hub for luxury and horology while highlighting unique talent across the region. A premier lifestyle event, its objectives are:

Awareness

Increase awareness and drive education amongst the public on the rich heritage and craftsmanship of the industry.

Horological Hub

Highlight the importance of Dubai as a key hub within the horological and luxury industries.

Nurture Skills

Provide a platform to cultivate the skillset of curious residents and aspiring horology enthusiasts via a rich programme of activities.

Launch

Network

Curate a platform for networking and creating connections amongst the general public, media, brand CEOs and VIPs.

Connect

Bridge key communities and audiences across adjacent luxury and lifestyle industries while highlighting innovation.

Celebrate

Celebrate the patrons and people behind watchmaking, design and much more.

Provide a platform for brands to further enhance their presence on a local and global scale and introduce new brands to the market.

Our goal is to create an educational, experiential, and networking event like no other.

Hind Abdul Hamied Seddiqi, Director General, Dubai Watch Week

EVENT HISTORY & TIMELINE

Each edition of Dubai Watch Week has revealed an ensemble collection of events, activations, leading brands and watchmakers in attendance. Here’s a quick look at the past editions of the Middle East’s most revered watch show.

Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons (AS&S) has been passionate advocates of horology since the 1950s. The family’s deeply embedded passion for watches has made the company the Middle East’s most prominent luxury watches retailer. Growing from a humble shop in Bur Dubai souk, today, the company is the preferred destination for the world’s finest lifestyle brands and boasts a portfolio of over 80 luxury timepieces and jewellery brands across over 50 locations in the UAE. Over the years, AS&S, ‘curators of time since 1950’, remain committed to raising awareness about the art of watchmaking, and nurturing a vibrant community for watch enthusiasts and collectors in the region.

Dubai Watch Week is part of AS&S’s timeless legacy in the world of horology. The event was launched in 2015 with the core philosophy to educate guests and foster understanding and appreciation for horology. With the support of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and member of Dubai Council, Dubai Watch Week has grown to become a coveted global event attended by the world’s leading watchmakers, brands, collectors, enthusiasts, press and public.

2015

• Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons launch Dubai Watch Week

• The Horology Forum makes its debut

• Participating brands: 14

• Visitors: 2500

• Watches on display: 242

2016

• DWW opens at its first purpose-built structure at DIFC

• Participating brands: 40

• Visitors: 6000

• Programmes: 79

• Luxury watch launches: 12

2019

• The Mastery of Time exhibition curated by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie opens at Dubai Mall

• DWW launches the Creative Hub segment

• Participating brands: 33

• Visitors: 3000

• Programmes: 61

• Masterclasses: 22

• Luxury watch launches: 7

2017 2018

The Horology Forum goes international as DWW & Christie’s collaborate to present the first-ever travelling edition in London

• Rolex exhibits at DWW for the first time

• Chopard Global Launch

• Pre-owned luxury watch platform WatchBox joins DW

• Participating brands: 42

• Visitors: 9041

• Programmes: 86

• Luxury watch launches: 7

2022

• DWW’s Horology Forum edition is held in New York City

• ClickClock, DWW’s new debate segment is launched

• Christie’s hosts its curated exhibition

• Visitors: 800

• Masterclasses: 10

2020

The Horology Forum hosts its first digital edition on DWW’s YouTube channel comprising 4 panels and 12 speakers

2021

• DWW launches the Collectors Lounge

• Greubel Forsey Global Launch

• 11 industry thought leaders participate in DWW’s unscripted video series Icon vs. Icon

• Participating brands: 50

• Visitors: 16,397

• Programmes: 122

• Luxury watch launches: 13

2023

• The Horology Forum hosts its first Arabic language panel discussion

• 10 standalone brand booths

• Participating Brands: 68

• Visitors: 23,800

• Programmes: 100+

• Luxury Watch Launches: 20+

TARGET AUDIENCE

Each iteration of Dubai Watch Week brings together horology titans, collectors, enthusiasts and the public to reinforce a culture of appreciation for luxury timepieces.

Dubai Watch Week, a non-commercial fair, focuses on education by encouraging brands to talk about their history and discuss upcoming novelties while fostering connections between horology afficionados and raising awareness among the uninitiated.

DUBAI WATCH WEEK AIMS TO ATTRACT:

Industry Insiders/ Brands

Participating brands, exhibitors, retailers, ambassadors and anyone employed by the industry

Curious Residents

Everyone keen to learn and develop their knowledge about specific industries and visit cultural events in the country

Watch Enthusiasts

Watch lovers of all experience levels: passionate collectors to those just taking their first step in the world of horology

Press And Media

Horology and luxury industry journalists and general media (local and international)

VVIPS

Avid watch collectors who are well-acquainted with Dubai Watch Week (DWW) and what the event has to offer

Youth (Generation Y and Z)

With their unique spending patterns, media consumption habits, likes and interests, DWW seeks to attract this demographic to the world of horology and nurture the next generation of watch lovers

Growing with each edition, Dubai Watch Week (DWW) successfully attracts some of the biggest names in the horology industry. The 2023 edition was the show’s biggest yet, with 68 participating brands.

TYPES OF BOOTHS AT DWW 2023

HIGHLIGHTS

Notable moments from the 2023 edition of Dubai Watch Week.

The 6th edition of Dubai Watch Week (DWW) had plenty of memorable highs. The highlight of this year’s show was the debut of legendary French luxury brand Van Cleef & Arpels. The iconic fashion house put up an immersive exhibition titled ‘The Poetry of Time®’, where timepieces inspired by five universes, Couture, Love Stories, Fairies, Ballerinas and Elegant Nature came together in a mesmerising display.

Ming Thein, Founder and Chief Creative of Ming Watches, chose DWW’s Collectors Lounge to make his first ever industry trade event presence. Additionally, the ClickClock debates segment which began at the Horology Forum’s 2022 travel edition held in New York, made its first Dubai appearance at the 2023 iteration.

Of notable importance was the launch of Vyntage Horology, a new brand led by the Seddiqi family. The collection boasts refined timepieces that embody the quintessence of Swiss movements and superior craftsmanship.

Additionally, the OAK Collection Exhibition, of over a 150 rare and one-of-a-kind Patek Philippe timepieces being exhibited, presented a unique opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts attending Dubai Watch Week to view a selection of these extremely coveted timepieces.

Another newsworthy moment was the announcement of the partnership between Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet and the Dubai Future Foundation to promote talents and cutting-edge research using radical AI tech.

68 luxury brands

100+ programmes and events

US$31m+ in PR ROI

23,000+ visitors over five days

Over 2K coverage pieces 8,687 app downloads

32 masterclasses

55+ global brand and CEOs on site

100+ local and international press

20+ luxury watch launches 200+ interviews conducted on site

NEW LAUNCHES AT DWW 2023

DWW 2023 saw several watch launches. In addition to elite global launches, there were plenty of releases for the local market too.

The 6th edition of Dubai Watch Week (DWW) was a celebration of creative confluences that highlighted craftsmanship and innovation. Some of the most prominent luxury watch brands, such as Armin Strom, Chopard, Hublot, H. Moser & Cie and Ulysse Nardin chose DWW as the launch pad for their new creations.

Take a look at the stunning timepieces that made their debut at DWW 2023.

Breitling Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 ADMT and DMT (UAE launch)

BOVET 1822 Recital 15 Meteorite (UAE launch)

‘Green Paradise’

Armin Strom Tribute 1 Fumé

Bell & Ross BR-X5 Green Lum

Bulgari Divas’ Dream Peacock Marquetry

Carl F. Bucherer Manero Tourbillon Double Peripheral

Chopard Alpine Eagle (UAE launch)

Czapek Antarctique Royal Onyx

De Bethune DBD Evergreen

Doxa Sub 300 Seddiqi & Sons Edition 2023 (UAE launch)

Frederique Constant Highlife Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Manufacture

Gerald Charles Maestro Ultra-Thin and Maestro Chronograph Chocolate Brown

Girard-Perregaux Neo Bridges Aston Martin Edition

H. Moser & Cie’s Streamliner Small Seconds Blue Enamel

Hublot Classic Fusion Black Magic series (UAE launch)

MB&F Horological Machine No. 11 ‘Architect’

Norqain Wild One Gold

Oris ProPilot X Calibre 400 Laser

Ressence Type 1 DX3 (UAE launch)

Reservoir X Seddiqi X Abdullah Lufti Edition

Speake-Marin Ripples Metallic Green

Ulysse Nardin Freak [ONE OPS]

Vyntage Horology Monograph and Purity

HOROLOGY FORUM

A Dubai Watch Week special, the Horology Forum facilitates open dialogue and candid conversations that foster learning and awareness of the watch industry.

In its 9th edition, the Horology Forum captivated the attention of its audience with six thought-provoking panels that explored the ever-evolving landscape of the horology industry. The forum also introduced its first Arabic language panel discussion, Family Business Never Sleeps, expanding the depth and reach of the Horology Forum.

The panel discussions featured a diverse range of topics that paid tribute to the art and skill of watchmaking. The Horology Forum is led by visionaries, seasoned collectors, master craftsmen and luminaries from various industries. +573K

viewers on DWW’s YouTube channel

speakers & moderators

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE HOROLOGY FORUM 2023

How can tradition and innovation be balanced? Collaboration versus competition? How will AI impact the longevity of after-sales service?

These were just some of the questions the 2023 edition of the Horology Forum explored. Attended by industry stalwarts such as Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, Chief Commerical Officer of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons; Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard; master watchmaker Philippe Dufour; Omar Johnson, Marketing Innovator & Founder and CEO of ØPUS United and François-Henry Bennahmias, former CEO of Audemars Piguet, to name a few.

Family Business Never Sleeps

CLICKCLOCK

Spare Me: Is After Sales an After Thought?

Unidentified Funding Object: Navigating Company Buyouts

A part of the Horology Forum, the ClickClock debates saw industry experts take on each other in a spirited informal setting.

The 2023 edition of Dubai Watch Week (DWW) marked the arrival of the ClickClock debates in Dubai. First held in 2022 at the travel edition of the Horology Forum in New York, ClickClock lets horology veterans battle out their perspectives on trends and issues in the watchmaking industry. At its Dubai debut, the segment featured personalities such as Nicholas Foulkes, Tim Mosso and Felix Baumgartner.

For DWW 2023, the ClickClock debates included:

To Be or Not To Bespoke

Debaters: George Bamford, Founder, Bamford Watch Department, and Nicholas Foulkes, Author, Historian and Journalist

Moderator: Barbara Palumbo, Watch & Jewellery Editor, Writer and Speaker; Contributor for ‘Vanity Fair on Time’

Obsessive Collecting Disorder

Debaters: Tim Mosso, Watch Specialist & Media Director, WatchBox, and James Dowling, Collector & Journalist

Moderator: Barbara Palumbo, Watch & Jewellery Editor, Writer and Speaker; Contributor for ‘Vanity Fair On Time’

Do Birds of a Feather Clock Together?

Debaters: Felix Baumgartner, Co-Founder & CEO URWERK, and Davide Cerrato, CEO, Bremont

Moderator: Adam Craniotes, Founder, Red Bar Group

Click the play button to watch video online

The Retailers’ Quickstep

Hands of Time: A Dufour Story

CREATIVE HUB

From watch reveals to insightful revelations from some of the most renowned names in watchmaking, the Creative Hub hosted a range of inspirational sessions.

Dubai Watch Week’s (DWW) Creative Hub segment was created to enable watch lovers to interact with peers and representatives from the industry’s leading brands. Here, they could engage in dialogues and conversations that foster creativity, champion innovation and celebrate the industry.

The sessions covered a variety of topics devoted to sparking ideas and sharing information along with new product launches. Highlights included the talk on the Trials and Tribulations of Watch Innovation by Stephen McDonnell; Breitling CEO Georges Kern’s spoke about Breitling’s history and the milestones which led the brand to conquer the skies; and in the Super League of Sustainability session, ID Genève and Movo Partners discussed the benefits of a circular economy.

Breitling Conquered the Skies

Louis Vuitton Watch Prize

H. Moser & Cie. Launch Event

Girard-Perregaux x Aston Martin Global Launch

Super League of Sustainability

Watching with Watch Fashionista

Emeralds, Art and Science

Winding Forward: The Path and Philosophy of Jean-Claude Biver

The Poetic Vision of Time

Seek Beyond

The Trials and Tribulations of Watch Innovation with Stephen McDonnell

Thinking Differently with Max Busser

Gerald Charles Launch Event

Efficient Collecting: Your Edge in the Watch Market

Christian Dior: From Haute Couture to Haute Horlogerie

De Bethune x Rexhep Rexhepi x URWERK Closing Event

Bell & Ross: Global Launch of an Exclusive Limited Edition

Celebrate DOXA & Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons partnership

How

MASTERCLASSES

Dubai Watch Week’s masterclasses allow watch lovers to experience the joy of watchmaking firsthand.

Led by masters of the craft, Dubai Watch Week’s (DWW) masterclasses offer participants the unique opportunity to engage in different aspects of watchmaking. For 2023, DWW roped in masters such as Audemars Piguet, Louis Vuitton and Bovet who introduced attendees to gemmology, miniature dial painting and crafting sugar dials, respectively, to name a few.

Masterclasses held at DWW 2023

Kintsugi Art Workshop

Listen to the Pulse of your Timepiece – Maison Alcee

Create Your Resin Clock – Gabets Gallery

Craft Your Story with Norwegian Silver Spoon Rings – Sheikhen

BOVET’s Sugar Dial

Into the Heart of Gemmology – Audemars Piguet

Miniature Painting – Louis Vuitton

Create Your Own Automata – Fiona Krüger

Haute Horlogerie Decorations – Audemars Piguet

Crafting Watch Accessories – Kids Activity

Ornamental Feather in Dior Watchmaking

Safeefah Bookmark with Irthi

THE COLLECTORS LOUNGE

Free flowing conversations, candid discussions and an open house make the Collectors Lounge a firm favourite at Dubai Watch Week.

The Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons’ Collectors Lounge has quickly become one of the highlights of the show. Launched in 2021, the segment aims to catalyse invigorating conversation around watchmaking among horology veterans.

Notable sessions at the Collectors Lounge in 2023 included Fail or Prevail But Make it Bold, Vyntage Horology: The Next Chapter, MING: New Novelties and The Story of Watchmakers Unleashed.

The Collectors Lounge 2023 sessions

Vyntage Horology: The Next Chapter

MING: New Novelties

Fabian Cancellara – A Life of Cycling!

The Story of Watchmakers Unleashed

Watchmaking & Innovation: Meet Denis Flageollet

Great Minds: Revolution & Grail Watch for Arabia

Vintage Watches: The Collector’s Journey

Aramedes: Preserve and Innovate

Fail or Prevail But Make It Bold

CAMEOS: The Ancient Power of Symbolism in Jewelry

6 watch stands

4 rotating watch stands in the Collectors Lounge

ICON vs. ICON

Another new addition to Dubai Watch Week, Icon vs. Icon put industry mavens in the line of fun rapid-fire questions.

Dubai Watch Week returns with the hit series Icon vs Icon - The Ultimate Showdown of Watch Industry Titans. The second season promises more excitement as industry leaders face off in a dynamic setting, answering rapid-fire questions during intense foosball matches, captured in the vibrant Brand Exhibition at Dubai Watch Week 2023.

Slated for a March 2024 premiere, Season 2 brings together luxury watches enthusiasts and affiliate icons as they ignite the spirit of competition in a convivial clash of minds, with an impressive roster of participants including former Beats CEO Omar Johnson, H.Moser et Cie’s visionary Edouard Meylan, Audemars Piguet’s former CEO Francois Henry Bennahmias, and Jacob & Co’s Benjamin Arabov, among others.

Viewers can anticipate videos rich in strategic maneuvers, enlightening conversations, and an unmatched display of fellowship and rivalry amongst luminaries.

STANDALONE BOOTHS

Thoughtfully curated eye-catching spaces that showcase some of the world’s most prestigious horology brands.

In its 6th iteration, Dubai Watch Week (DWW) attracted some of the biggest names in watchmaking to The Gate, DIFC. Among the 68 participating brands, 10 brands put up their standalone booths, the highest number to date. These included Rolex, Audemars Piguet, TUDOR, Hublot, Chopard, Ulysse Nardin, Girard-Perregaux, Van Cleef & Arpels, CHANEL and BVLGARI.

New entrant at DWW, Van Cleef & Arpels showcased its Poetry of Time® collection in a stunning pavilion that recreated a slice of Paris in Dubai, complete with a charming flower cart lined promenade, windows filled with curiosities and rooms exploring the various worlds of the romantic brand’s timekeeping. (keeping this as now we have info for the others)

Similarly, Girard-Perregaux’s standalone booth brought the essence of ‘Manufacture in Switzerland’ to the UAE. The booth allowed guests to discover Girard-Perregaux’s core collections and also see, for the very first time, some of its Haute Horlogerie and Heritage pieces that were flown in from the manufacturer’s museum just for DWW. The highlight of the booth was a terrace with an Aston Martin simulator and an indoor space with a standout centrepiece that transformed into a dining table.

At the Audemars Piguet booth, a new large-scale exhibition titled ‘Seek Beyond’ displayed a selection of the manufacturer’s heritage and contemporary timepieces. Visitors could explore the various materials and gemstones used by Audemars Piguet in the creation of their masterpieces. Additionally, the manufacture’s artisans were on-site to present the brand’s legacy and savoir-faire.

F&B

In addition to celebrating watch culture, Dubai Watch Week also celebrates the culinary arts. Crafting a ‘world of food,’ premium restaurants from across the city converged at DWW, offering delightful servings of eclectic cuisines.

LA NIÑA

With its modern take on Spanish and Latin cuisine, La Niña dished out bold flavours and daring spices with its interpretation of classic Iberian dishes and Latino flavours.

HOME BAKERY

For DWW 2023, Home Bakery joined hands with Swiss watchmaker BOVET to present The BOVET 1822 Café. Highlights of the exclusive menu included a limited-edition dessert modelled after BOVET’s distinctive timepieces and a unique drink specially formulated for the show.

TWST

In its second outing at DWW, TWST continued to impress diners with favourites such as S’mores, Red Velvet and Creamy Mushroom Crepes. New additions to the menu included Matcha Crepes and Iced Toffee Nut

KITCH-IN

Crafting exceptional dining experiences, Kitch-In offered a casual dining concept for visitors with its unique cuisine.

M’OISHÎ

Visitors could experience ultimate delight at M’OISHI, a Japanese ice cream brand. It merges authenticity and craftsmanship with modernism to produce a startling taste.

Karak.

EVENT SNAPSHOT

With a firm focus on education, Dubai Watch Week curates a plethora of activities ensuring there’s something for everyone.

No other event captures the essence and allure of horology like Dubai Watch Week. With its impressive portfolio of events, masterclasses, exhibitions and peer discussions, Dubai Watch Week is truly ‘not just a watch show’.

BRANDS EXHIBITION

The mainstay of Dubai Watch Week (DWW), the 2023 Brands Exhibition was hosted in an extended space with over 60 major brands and watchmakers present. The immersive exhibition area allowed visitors to connect directly with their favourite brands.

MB&F M.A.D GALLERY

MB&F’s M.A.D Gallery allowed DWW’s younger guests to discover the artistic side of time by exploring how time and kinetic art interact.

GRAND PRIX D’HORLOGERIE DE GENÈVE

The winning timepieces from the 2023 edition of Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) were exhibited in the Brands Exhibition at Dubai Watch Week. Celebrating contemporary watchmaking, excellence and creativity, the GPHG timepieces represent innovation and craftsmanship in the industry. Attendees had a chance to see the winning watches up close and interact with the GPHG team and jurors on site.

AMEDEO

Amedeo Scognamiglio is the 6th generation of a family dynasty devoted to the art of Cameos in Torre del Greco, Italy, since 1857. During Dubai Watch Week, AMEDEO sought to inspire and entice audiences with a live showcase of his artistry and craftsmanship.

WOSTEP WATCHMAKING ACTIVATION

WOSTEP invited guests to learn the craft of watchmaking from a seasoned expert. Over a span of two-three hours, attendees were introduced to the mechanics and intricacies behind timekeeping. The activation was a great opportunity to see if participants had what it takes to become a watchmaker.

HOROLOGY FORUM

A DWW exclusive, the Horology Forum is regarded as the pioneer of discussions within the watch industry. Horology experts and other renowned figures from diverse industries congregated to engage in riveting discussions around watchmaking and its related trends. The 2023 show also presented the first Arabic language panel discussion adding to DWW’s glocal appeal.

CREATIVE HUB

The launch pad for some of the most iconic watches the world has seen, DWW’s Creative Hub champions innovation and art. In 2023, over 20 exquisite timepieces were launched at the Creative Hub. Patrons also attended insightful discussions helmed by industry experts.

CHRISTIE’S AT DWW

Iconic art and luxury business Christie’s is a valued DWW partner and brings an exciting series of expert talks, exhibitions and activities to the event. Its Kids Auction activity is a huge hit with DWW’s youngest guests. At the 2023 show, Patrick Getreide, the visionary behind the OAK (One of A Kind) collection presented over 100 exquisite watches at the Christie’s Boutique at DWW.

MASTERCLASSES

The DWW masterclasses are one of the most highly anticipated elements at the show thanks to the unique learning opportunities they bring to attendees and featured an array of watchmaking and craft related sessions. These included a Kintsugi art workshop and BOVET’s Sugar Dial workshop.

Much like horology, the luxury automotive industry embodies the pinnacle of engineering and human craftsmanship. Precision, design, quality and passion fuel both -rendering each alive with the spirit and character of their creator’s vision. Aston Martin were present in the Brand Exhibition showcasing the intricacies of the brand and its offering alongside an experiential element outdoors at DWW.

ENTERTAINMENT

Adding the final touch to a superlative event was DWW’s spectacular entertainment line-up. The following artists livened up the proceedings at DWW 2023:

Jaymie Deville

The Theater Dubai Dancers

Sam Tring

Fadi Rifaai & Leoné Murphy

Greg Pearson

Matt West

Lady J

Pasha Cazan

PR OVERVIEW

With educational and experiential luxury as its driving principle, Dubai Watch Week designs and implements a powerful PR campaign that ensures to spread its key messages across global titles.

Media Clippings

DWW 2023 had over 2K clippings including online, print, and social media coverage in local, regional and international media.

Interview Opportunities

Over 130 interviews took place on-site across DWW 2023.

International Media

DWW 2023 hosted more than 70 international representatives from across the globe.

Local Media

Over 66 UAE-based publications and pan-regional media attended the event.

Total PR Value

DWW 2023 generated more than 31 million USD in PR value before, during and after the event.

DIGITAL CAMPAIGN

Dubai Watch Week 2023’s digital campaign ran in six countries across six platforms including Meta, Snapchat, TikTok, Apple Search Ads, Google and Programmatic. Sporting stunning visuals and compelling call-to-action, the campaign resulted in a whopping 153% spike in registrations compared to 2021.

12K registrations

55 million impressions

18 million unique users

DWW WEBSITE

experience for all attendees. Website visitors can:

• Plan their visit to the show thanks to the availability of the complete event schedule.

• Pre-register for specific sessions.

• Create an account and personalise their dashboard to reflect their planned itinerary.

• Read DWW’s engaging blog filled with nuggets of information, highlights and summary of each event day.

• The website also helps the DWW team gain valuable insights into attendee engagement, allowing them to optimise the event experience continually.

1,876 on Android

8,687 total App downloads

6,811 on Apple

317K visits on the website from all the channels

35K registration 1.13 sec. average session duration +1.2 million page views +66% engagement rate across all sources

37.9K registrations (website + app) 23.8K attendees (unique)

The DWW App emerged as another important pillar of DWW 2023’s digital campaign. In fact, it ranked as #6 in UAE on iOS App Store during the show’s run.

TESTIMONIALS

With each edition, Dubai Watch Week (DWW) proves its mettle as one of the world’s leading luxury horology events. Here’s what some of the horology industry’s veterans said about DWW 2023.

Dubai Watch Week has cemented itself as one of the most important and exciting fairs on the international watchmaking calendar. A combination of original and fascinating panels, educational masterclasses and creative hubs, special launches dedicated to the region, not to mention unbeatable weather and a very relaxed and informal vibe, all these make Dubai Watch Week a diary-must for any watch lover, whether a die-hard aficionado or young newbie.

Ming Lui Writer & journalist Financial Times, NYTimes, CNN, Vogue, Vanity Fair

‘‘NOT JUST A WATCH SHOW’’ is what I read in big bold letters as I entered the arena of Dubai Watch Week 2023 and rightly so! Yes, there were watches, new launches and even a few new brands, but to me Dubai Watch Week is now a timetraveling, watch-loving community that reunites the watch world in the most welcoming format. There are watches, there is laughter, knowledge driven sessions with a dash of horological madness as we create memories for a lifetime with friends and enthusiasts who share the same passion across the globe.

Karishma Karer Editor at Hands On Time & Co-Founder of The Hour Markers

Dubai Watch Week is the most comprehensive collection of luxury watch industry professionals, influential members of the media, and important watch buyers and collectors from around the world. It’s the ultimate summit of major timepiece industry movers and shakers, who come together to celebrate the best of their shared passions and to discuss the most salient topics currently facing the business. I never want to miss one.

Ariel Adams Journalist Founder aBlogtoWatch

Dubai Watch Week stands out as a major event in the watch industry, thanks to the impeccable management and hospitality provided by our longstanding partner, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons. It offers a unique format to meet with those who share a deep appreciation for fine watchmaking. This event also proves to be an excellent opportunity for the global launch of our new timepieces, both for Chopard and Ferdinand Berthoud. We very much look forward to engaging with industry professionals and meeting our esteemed clients once again during the next edition.

Mr. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele

Chopard

INFORMATION

Dubai Watch Week 2023 experience was outstanding to say the least. With more than 12’500 visitors on our booth, Seek Beyond offered an immersive and interactive journey into Audemars Piguet’s universe, past, present and future and retraced how the brand has repeatedly ventured outside of its comfort zone to push the boundaries of watchmaking. The DWW team was extremely supportive and organized throughout the preparation and implementation journey. The unanimous feedback we have received from both our clients and the internal team has been incredible: “This is the best DWW so far!”. We are proud to be part of such a prestigious horology exhibition. Thank you and we are looking forward to the 2025 edition.

At DWW23, TUDOR introduced an exclusive booth design with a refreshed look! TUDOR’s booth concept offered lots of brand experience and engagement by using elements such as a watch bar for a touch and feel of the collection, a cycling simulator to challenge the most daring booth visitors as well as a cinema room for an immersive experience, and more. At the bar of the spacious terrace (60 sqm) drinks and snacks were served during the day and a DJ entertained the crowd every night to some delicious signature Cocktails. TUDOR’s Brand Ambassador and former cycling champion, Fabian Cancellara, visited the booth during the week and gave an insightful interview (a Life of Cycling) in front of an entertained audience (full house!) at one of the dedicated lounges.

TUDOR

Retail Calendar launched in 2017 with 18 retail Festivals & Events

Retail is an integral arm to Dubai’s economy. It contributes to almost 1/4 of Dubai’s GDP

Dubai is ranked number one in overall international retailer presence, with over 62% of the world’s brands

Dubai ranks third in the world in terms of per capita retail space after the United States and Singapore, according to available statistics

Dubai has the biggest shopping mall in the world with the total gross leasable area within shopping malls in Dubai touching 6 million square feet

1000+ brands across 5000+ retail outlets take part in the Retail Calendar annually with promotions, events, and activations

Dubai Mall sets a new global record as most visited place with 105 million visitors in 2023

Total international visitors: 17.15M in 2023

Audemars Piguet